If there is one position group where the New England Patriots are particularly strong, it’s their secondary. In turn, this helps the rookies learn from veterans. Cornerback Joejuan Williams is a perfect example of that.
A second-round pick in 2019, Williams was able to learn from the likes of Stephon Gilmore and Devin McCourty last season. Entering 2020, the Vanderbilt product wants to play in the National Football League for a long time.
Right now, he is just taking it all in. In a conversation with Patriots.com, Williams spoke about the benefits of learning from some of the most consistent players in the NFL during his rookie campaign. He’s ready to start the competition again.
“Of course you want to challenge and compete for time. Steph and the McCourtys… Overall my rookie year was a big learning year for me,” he said. “I didn’t play much at the beginning of the season and I started getting into the rotation on defense and special teams the last few games. That’s when I got most of my snaps.
“But it also gave me a chance to look up to the guys in front of me, watching them and following them was very helpful. Slowly but surely each week you try to build, and you keep doing that and building on top of that and I would try to get one percent better. It was a big learning curve and I’m still learning now.”
Williams came into the NFL after completing a three-year career at Vanderbilt. Recording 119 tackles and 25 pass deflections in three seasons of play, his best season came in 2018. That year, he recorded 48 tackles and four interceptions in addition to 13 pass deflections.
He aims to bring that same type of production to a deep New England secondary. Time will tell if the lessons he is learning will pay off.
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